Air cushioned elevator for case packers



March 7, 1967 E, F. ROWEKAMP 3,307,328

' AIR CUSHIONED ELEVATOR FOR CASE PACKERS Filed April 2, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 1 TO SWITCH 63 f 1 1 INVENTOR. 4 W zmm March 7, 1967 E. F.ROWEKAMP 3,307,328

AIR CUSHIONED ELEVATOR FOR CASE PACKERS Filed April 2, 1965 sSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

March 7, 1967 E. F. ROWEKAMP 3,307,328

7 AIR CUSHIONED ELEVATOR FOR CASE PACKERS Filed April 2, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 5 25 INVENTOR 74 ja BY 7 March 7, 1967 E. F. ROWEKAMP3,307,328

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AIR CUSHIONED ELEVATOR FOR CASE PACKERS Filed April 2, 1.965 5Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Ofilice 3 ,307,328 Patented Mar. 7,1967 3,307,328 AIR CUSHIONED ELEVATOR FOR CASE PACKERS Edward F.Rowekamp, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Lodge & Shipley Company,Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 2, 1965, Ser. No.445,138 Claims. (Cl. 53-247) This invention relates to case packers.These machines are used to deposit groups of containers such as bottlesin cases, the term case being used here in a generic sense to meanreceptacles such as cartons, boxes, crates, and the like designed toreceive and enclose groups of containers. More specifically, theinvention is directed to an improved elevator of the type employed incase packing machines to initially receive an empty case from aconveyor, raise the case to a position to receive a group of containers,lower the filled case and then discharge the case onto a conveyor.

v A typical case packer has a marshalling station to which containersare fed. At the station, they are assembled in a patterned groupcorresponding to the arrangement they are to have within a case. Thecontainers are assembled on a grid having openings therein through whichthe containers fall as a group upon being released. Fingers extend downfrom each opening in the grid to serve as guides for the containers andto break their fall to a 'degree. In acting as guides, the fingers alsoinsure that the containers enter the compartments of partitioned cases.Such compartments normally are used in the packing of glass articles,and particularly bottles, to prevent damage during shipment. Bottlespose a special problem in a packing operation because they have to falla distance at least as great as their height plus the depth of the gridapparatus. This is one of the main reasons for using an elevator,because it brings the case up as close as possible to the level fromwhich the bottles are released. Because of the fingers, the case has tobe raised at least to a point where the lower ends of the fingers areWithin the compartments of a partitioned case when the bottles arereleased and then the case has to be lowered to a point where the topsof the released bottles are completely free of the fingers.

Despite the ability of existing elevators to place a case in its highestpossible position relative to a grid there is still a considerable dropfor the bottles and a certain amount of breakage occurs. v

The primary objective of this invention is to provide a cushionedelevator such that the shocks that bottles receive upon striking thebottom of a case is minimized, thereby reducing breakage.

It is common practice that a case packer machine be provided withadjustable parts and interchangeable parts to adapt it to assemble anddeposit bottles of various sizes, capacities and shapes. Under thesecircumstances, it becomes necessary that the elevator upon which a caserests be made such that its upper limit of travel is adjustable. In viewof this requirement, it is a further objective of this invention toprovide a cushioned elevator of the type set forth in which suchadjustment is exceedingly simple to make.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing, in the upperportion, the discharge end of a case packer with the elevator of thisinvention being shown in the lower portion of the figure. In this view,a case shown in dot-dash lines on the elevator is in its lowermostposition.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the elevator in anelevated position with a group of bottles being inserted into the case.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on the elevator asindicated by the line 33 in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken on the line 44 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary top plan view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken on the line 7-7 ofFIGURE 2.

In FIGURES 1 and '2, there is shown the discharge end of a case packeror loader, designated generally 10, that is similar to the one disclosedin copending patent application Serial No. 318,577, filed October 24,1963. The copending application and this application have a commonassignee.

Reference is made to the copending application for the details of themachine. As shown in FIGURE 1, a group of bottles identifiedindividually at 11 is shown marshalled upon a grid designated generally12 ready for discharge into a case shown in dot-dash lines at 13. Thecase rests upon an elevator apparatus designated generally 14 that ispositioned directly below the grid 12 in spaced relation thereto. Aseries of fingers such as those shown at 15 is associated with eachopening in the grid 12, the fingers converging at the lower ends toserve as guides in order to direct the bottles 11 into individualcompartments within the case 13. As disclosed in the copendingapplication, the bottles 11 are marshalled as they move onto the grid12in a pattern that corresponds to the arrangement of the partitionswithin the case 13 and upon their release the bottles 11 are free todrop through the fingers 15 at a time when the case 13 is elevated intothe position shown in FIGURE 2.

The elevator 14 includes a base or frame 16 having a support portion 17on one side thereof. A pair of horizontally spaced guide rods 18 and 19extend upwardly from the support portion 17 of the base 16.

An elevator platform 20 has one end slidably mounted on the guide rods18 and 19 by sleeves 21 and 22. By this arrangement, the elevatorplatform 20, which is preferably of cast construction, is mounted incantilever fashion.

The base 16, which also is preferably of cast construcr tion, includes apair of spaced, parallel side walls 23 and 24 (see FIGURES 3 and 6). Theside wall 23 is disposed adjacent the support porti-on 17 of the base16. An end wall 25 joins one end of each of the side walls 23 and 24together. The side walls 23 and 24 also are connected intermediate theirends by a connecting wall 26 (see FIGURES 5 and 6).

Four live rollers 27 are supported by the base 16 in spaced relation toeach other. Each of the rollers 27 is attached to a shaft 28 having oneend journaled in a bearing support 29, which is attached to the top ofthe side wall 23. The other end of the shaft28 extends through a bearingsupport 30, which is attached to the top of the side wall 24. Each ofthe shafts 28 has a chain sprocket 31 (see FIGURE 4) attached to the endextending beyond the bearing support 30 whereby all of the rollers 27are rotated in the same direction and at the same speed.

, The elevator platform 20 has a depressed floor 32 on which the case 13is supported when the elevator plat form 20 is moved upwardly from itslowermost position of FIGURE 1. However, when the elevator platform 20is in its lowermost position, the floor 32 does not contact the case 13as shown in FIGURE 1 but the case 13 is supported on the live rollers27.

The floor 32 of the elevator platform 20 has two parallel slots 33 (seeFIGURES 3 and 5) formed therein to permit the tops of the two centerrollers 27 to extend above the surface of the floor 32. The floor 32 ofthe elevator platform terminates short of the two end rollers 27. Thus,all of the rollers 27 have their top surfaces positioned above the fioor32 of the elevator platform 20 when the elevator platform 21 is in itslowermost position.

While the floor 32 of the elevator platform 20 has been shown asdepressed, it should be understood that the floor 32 need not bedepressed for cooperation with the rollers 27. This depressedarrangement of the floor 32 is to permit clearance of the bottom of eachside 34 and 35 of the elevator platform 2%} with respect to the bearingsupports 29 and 30. Thus, by appropriate arrangement, the floor 32 wouldnot be depressed; one example would be to increase the diameter of therollers 27.

The elevator platform 20 has an L-shaped bracket 36 attached to the topof the side 34 by bolts 37. The bolts 37, which are fixed to theplatform 20, extend through longitudinal slots 39 in the base of thebracket 36 whereby the bracket 36 may be adjusted longitudinally withrespect to the platform 20 and the rollers 27. The bracket 36 functionsas a guide for one side of each of the cases 13 as it is moved by therollers 27.

The bracket 36 has an elevator gate 40 pivotally connected to its baseby a pin 41. Thus, the elevator gate 40 moves with the bracket 36 whenthe position of the bracket 36 is adjusted. I

The elevator gate 41) functions to stop the case 13 as it is advanced byrotation of the rollers 27. Therefore, the longitudinal adjustment ofthe bracket 36 is to position the elevator gate 40 in accordance withthe length of the case 13.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the bracket 36 is positioned for the longest ofthe cases 13. If the cases 13 are shorter, the bracket 36 is adjusted byreleasing the nuts 38 and sliding the bracket 36 relative to the bolts37. It should be understood that the longest of the cases 13 is usedwith the bottles 11 of largest diameter.

The elevator gate 40 prevents the empty case 13, which is moved by therollers 27 due to their rotation, from being moved beyond the elevator14. Thus, when an empty case 13 engages the elevator gate 40, it isready to be raised to the position in which it receives the bottles 11from the case packer 10.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, a resiliently biased sensing finger 42 isprovided in close association with gate 40. As will be explained ingreater detail, the sensing finger 42 controls two operations in themachine. When a case moves into the elevator and makes contact with thefinger, gaate 41) is swung closed. In addition, pressurized air from asuitable pressure source (not shown) is directed through a hose 44 (seeFIGURE 7) to an air cushion means 45. The sensing finger 42 operates anelectrical switch 43, switch 43 having appropriate contacts in circuitryto accomplish the two functions of the finger 42.

The air cushion means 45 includes a plurality of connected annular airsprings 46, which are well-known. The lower end of the air cushion means45 is attached to the support portion 17 of the base 16 while the upperend of the air cushion means 45 is attached to the elevator platform 20between the sleeves 21 and 22.

Accordingly, when the sensing finger 42 is pivoted by the case 13 toactuate the switch 43, the supply of air to the air cushion means 45causes upward movement of the elevator platform 20 along the guide rods18 and 19. As the elevator platform 20 moves upwardly, the floor 32engages the bottom of the case 13, which has been resting on the liverollers 27, to removethe case 13 from the rollers 27 and support it onthe floor 32 of the platform 20 for movement therewith.

The elevator platform 20 has a clamping assembly 47, which is mounted onthe top of the side 35 of the platform 20. As shown in FIGURE 3, theclamping assembly 47 is H-shaped when viewed from above. The clampingassembly 47 includes a pair of parallel tie plates 48 and 49, which arejoined together intermediate their ends by a transverse tie plate 51 toform the H-shape.

The clamping assembly 47 includes a hollow tube 51, which is secured toone end of each of a pair of horizontally spaced threaded rods 52. Thisallows lateral adjustment of the hollow tube 51 with respect to theplate 48.

The clamping assembly 47 is secured to the elevator platform 20 by bolts53 and nuts 54. Each of the bolts 53 extends through the plate 48, anupstanding lug 55 on the elevator platform 20, and the plate 49. Aspring 56 surrounds each of the bolts 53 between the plate 48 and theupstanding lug 55.

The hollow tube 51 grips each of the cases 13 as the elevator platform20 moves upwardly to permit transfer of the case 13 from the rollers 27to the floor 32. The spring biased tube 51 is permitted to be moved intoengagement with the case 13 by a cam 57, which is attached to the base16 and extends through a slot 58 in the side 35 of the elevator platform20, cooperating with a roller 59, which functions as a cam follower tomaintain the clamping tube 51 disengaged from the case, on the plate 50of the clamping assembly 47.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the cam 57 has an upwardly slanting surface 60,which allows the springs 56 to move the clamping assembly 47 towards thecase 13 as the elevator platform 20 moves upwardly. The springs 56 areconstantly urging the tube 51 toward the case 13. Thus, the tube 51grips one side of the case 13 and cooperates with the bracket 36 to lockthe case 13 in position on the floor 32 of the elevator platform 20.

Accordingly, a positive locking arrangement is employed to insure thatthe case 13 remains in position on the elevator platform 20 duringupward movement thereof. Furthermore, the cooperation with the cam 57insures that this gripping or. locking occurs after there is relativemovement in an upward direction between the base 16 and the platform 20so that locking of the case 13 occurs only after the case 13 ceases tobe supported on the rollers 27.

Because of the resiliency of the springs 56, the hollow tube 51 isautomatically positioned to compensate for any variance in width of thecase 13. However, the primary adjustment, when the width of the case 13is changed, is by adjusting the rods 52 with respect to the plate 48.

When pressurized air is directed to air cushion means 45, the elevatorplatform 20 is moved upwardly to a place where it abuts two rubbercushioning devices 61-61 that are fastened by known means to the twosupport nods 18 and 19 just underneath a tie bar 62 that connects theupper ends of the two rods 18 and 19, The two cushions 6161 determinethe upper limit of travel of the elevator and when adjustment in theoverall length of travel of the elevator is required for bottles ofdifferent sizes, cushions of different height may be substituted forthose shown. The amount of air pressure required to lift the elevator isdependent upon the weight that is to be lifted and it is found thatlight weight cases can be lifted with as little as five pounds of airpressure. With the heaviest wooden cases, an air pressure ofapproximately twelve to thirteen pounds may be required. In any event,as will be explained, the descent of the elevator is timed such that theair pressure within the cushion is substantially less than either of theabove figires when bottles being received in the case strike the bottomof the case.

Attention is now directed to the electrical switch designated 63 that ismounted on base 16 underneath the ele-' Vator platform. This switch hasan arm 64 with a roller 65 at the outer end thereof. When the elevatoris in its lowermost position, the roller 65 is contacted by theunderside of the elevator, as best shown in FIGURE 1, to actuate switch63. As the elevator platform 20 is moved upwardly by the air cushionmeans 45, the arm 64 is permitted to swing up into the position shown inFIGURE 2. Switch 63 has two sets of contacts, one set of which becomeseifective upon the release of arm 64 by the raising of the elevator andthe other set of which be comes effective upon the lowering of arm 64 asthe elevator moves into its lowermost position. The first set ofcontacts is closed as the elevator starts up and cooperates withcontrols for an air cylinder 66, a timer 67, and a switch 68 that ismounted on the case packer 10. The switch 68 is closed only when thebottles 11 have completely filled the grid 12. As more fully explainedin the copending application, the bottles 11 move into the grid onsupport bars (not shown). The purpose of the air cylinder 66 is to shiftall of the support bars laterally so that the bottles can fall from thegrid into a waiting case. Timer 67 which is shown diagrammatically onlyin FIG- URE 1, is wired into the machine such that it does three things.The timer completes the circuit to a solenoid operated valve thatdirects air under pressure to cylinder 66 so that the cylinder shiftsthe support bars laterally, permitting the bottles to drop from thegrid. Secondly, it completes a circuit to a solenoid operated valve thatexhausts the air from air cushioning means 45 which permits the elevatorto descend. It also completes a circuit which, as will be explained,opens gate 40. However, the timer is tied in with the switch 68 so thatit cannot become effective to do any of the above three things unlessthe circuit has been closed at switch 68 thus insuring that the grid isfull of bottles before the drop occurs. Additionally, the timer is tiedelectrically with switch 63 so that it is conditioned to start timing asthe elevator starts up. The purpose of tying the timer in to switches 63and 68 will be more fully explained below. Generally,

however, it makes the machine adaptable to operations at various speedsdepending upon the requirements of a particular packing operation. Forthis purpose, the timer is adjustable. In any event,'on-ce the timer hasticked off whatever time has been set thereon, the dropping of thebottles occurs simultaneously with the exhausting of the air pressure inair cushioning means 45 so that the dropped bottles hit the case intowhich they fall with the air cushioning means 45 in soft condition. Thecontinued exhausting of the air from the air cushioning means 45 resultsin cushioned downward movement of the elevator platform 26) such thatthe bottles are not subjected to jarring when the elevator reaches itslowermost position. Additional cushioning if needed is provided when theelevator platform 20 reaches its lowermost position by resilient pads69-69 which surround the guide rods 18 and 19.

As stated, the timer closes a circuit to a solenoid that directs airunder pressure to an air cylinder 70 (see FIG- URE 3) that is mountedupon the bracket 36 on the elevator platform 28. It must be kept in mindhowever that the timer cannot function to direct air to cylinder 70unless switches 63 and 68 have been preconditioned, one, by the elevatorbeing in raised position and two, by a full complement of bottles beingpresent in the grid. Thus, when the timer is readied and switches 63 and68 are closed, one solenoid of a double solenoid valve 71 is actuatedwhereby air is supplied to the air cylinder 70 to cause retraction ofits piston rod 72. Piston rod 72 has a clevis 73 attached at its outerend. The clevis 73 is pivotally connected by pin 74 to the elevator gate40. Thus, when air is supplied to the cylinder 70 to retract the pistonrod 72, the elevator gate 40 is pivoted about the pin 41 to move theelevator gate 46 from its blocking position to an open position. Thegate 40 could be operated by an instrumentality other than the timer,for example,

6 the double solenoid valve 71 could be tied in with switch 63, whichopens as the elevator moves into its lowermost position. However, it isfound that a faster operation is possible by having the gate open whenthe elevator is raised.

As the elevator platform 20 moves downwardly, it can be seen that theloaded case 13 comes into contact with the live rollers 27, theserollers projecting up above the surface of the platform so that drivingcontact between the rollers and the bottom of the case is establishedbefore the platform is all of the way down. Since the gate 40 is in itsopen position, the loaded case 13 is immediately driven from theelevator onto a conveyor line (not shown) or other suitable receivingmeans.

When the loaded case 13 leaves the elevator platform, the resilientlybiased sensing finger 42 swings out into the path of an oncoming caseready to be contacted to effect the closing of the gate and therebyblock the case. When the sensing finger swings in, switch 43 being tiedin with the double acting solenoid valve 71 results in air beingsupplied to the cylinder 70 to extend the piston rod 72. This extensionof the piston rod 72 returns the elevator gate to its blocking position.

In order that another empty case 13 will always be available formovement into the rollers 27 after the loaded case 13 has been removedtherefrom, a conveyor belt 75 is disposed in alignment with the rollers27 as shown in FIGURE 3. The conveyor belt 75 is constantly driven by amotor 76.

The motor 76 is connected to a shaft 77 of a chain sprocket 78 through aspeed reducer 79. A chain 80 connects the sprocket 78 with a chainsprocket 81. The sprocket 81 is mounted on one end of a shaft 82, whichextends between the top and bottom of the conveyor belt 75. The shaft 82has a pulley 83, which is in engagement with the conveyor belt 75 (seeFIGURE 5 to drive the conveyor belt 75, mounted thereon.

The shaft 82 is also connected to a chain sprocket 84, which has acontinuous chain 85 (see FIGURE 4) pass-- ing therearound. The chain 85also passes around the chain sprockets 31 on the ends of the rollershafts 28 whereby the rollers 27 are driven at the same speed as thespeed of the conveyor belt 75. This insures that the cases 13, which aremoved along the conveyor belt 75, will not be advanced at a differentspeed when they are picked up by the rollers 27.

A chain take-up plate 86 is attached to a portion of the side wall 24 ofthe base 16 by bolts 87 extending through slots 88 in the member 86. Theplate 86 has a chain sprocket 89 rotatably mounted thereon. Thus, byadjusting the position of the plate 86 through movement with respect tothe bolts 87, which are fixed to the side wall 24, the chain 85 istightened as required to provide the desired drive of the rollers 27.

A shroud 90 is attached to the side walls 23 and 24 by suitable means(not shown) and extends rearwardly therefrom. The shroud 90' is formedwith an open center through which the conveyor belt 75 passes as shownin FIGURE 3.

An L-shaped bracket 91, which functions as a guide rail for one side ofthe cases 13, is adjustably mounted on one side of the shroud 90 Bolts92, which are fixed to the shroud 90, extend through slots 93 in thebracket 91 and have nuts 94 on their ends to retain the bracket 91 inposition.

The position of the bracket 91 is varied by movement of the bracket 91with respect to the bolts 92 in accordance with the width of the case13. As shown in FIGURE 3, the bracket 91 is positioned for the largestwidth of the cases 13. As the diameter of the bottles 11 decreases, thewidth of the case 13 decreases. The bracket 91 is moved toward theconveyor belt 75 as the width of the case 13 becomes smaller.

An L-shaped bracket 95 is fixed to the shroud 90 on the other side ofthe conveyor belt 75 from the bracket 91. A conveyor gate 96 is disposedadjacent the end of the conveyor belt 75 to stop movement of each of thecases 13 as it nears the end of the conveyor belt 75. The conveyor gate96 it attached to one end of a plate 97, which is pivotally mounted onthe bracket 95 by a pin 98. The other end 99 of the pivotal plate 97 ispivotally connected to a clevis 100 by a pin 101. The clevis 100' isattached to one end of a piston rod 102 of an air cylinder 103.

When air is supplied to the cylinder 103 to cause extension of the rod102, the pivotal plate 97 is moved to the dot-dash position of FIGURE 3.In this dot-dash position, the conveyor gate 96 is moved out of the pathof the case 13 on the belt 75 while the other end of the pivotal plate97 passes through a slot 104a in the L- shaped bracket 95. This end ofthe pivotal plate 97 has a cover 104 thereon of a flexible material.

Since the bracket 95 functions as a guide rail for one side of each ofthe cases 13 moved by the conveyor belt 75, the movement of the pivotalplate 97 to the dotdash position of FIGURE 3 results in the end havingthe cover 104 engaging the next of the cases 13 to prevent movement ofthe next of the cases 13 by the belt 75.

Thus, when one of the cases 13 is advanced from the belt 75, to therollers 27, the protruding end of the pivotal plate 97 prevents the nextof the cases 13 from moving forward until the conveyor gate 96 hasreturned to its stopping or blocking position. The flexible material ofthe cover 104 functions to permit the pivotal plate 9'7 to move intoengagement with the case 13 without damage thereto.

T-o adapt the elevator of this invention to fast speeds it is foundexpedient to swing the pivotal plate 97 to the dot-dash, open positionof FIGURE 3 at the instant that the elevator reaches its lowermostposition. When this happens, the arm 64 on switch 63 is depressed. Thesecond set of contacts in switch 63 is in a circuit to a solenoidoperated valve that shifts cylinder 103 to swing the conveyor gate 96out of the way of the case next to come onto the elevator. Thus, theoncoming empty case closely follows the outgoing full case and time issaved in getting the oncoming empty case into a position such that itcontacts sensing finger 42 to start the elevator up and close gate 40'.

The set of contacts of switch 63 that close when the elevator is down isin series in a circuit with a normally open switch 108, which is movedto its closed position by a resiliently biased sensing finger 10-9.Sensing finger 109 is moved from its position of FIGURE 3 when there isa case 13 in engagement with the conveyor gate 96.

Thus, the pivotal gate 97 cannot be moved to the open, dot-dash positionof FIGURE 3 until two conditions are met. One is that a case is incontact with conveyor gate 96, being held on the conveyor in readinessto enter the elevator. The other of the conditions is that the elevatorplatform 20 is in its lowermost position ready to receive the oncomingcase as soon as it is released.

The opening of the switch 100 results in air being supplied to thecylinder 103 so that the piston rod 102 is retracted therein. Thisreturns the pivotal plate 97 to the solid line position of FIGURE 3wherein the next of the cases 13 on the conveyor belt 75 may be advancedforwardly until it reaches the conveyor gate 96.

At this time, the sensing finger 109 is again moved inwardly to closethe switch 108. However, by this time, the switch 63 is opened becausethe elevator platform 20 has started to move upwardly. Thus, the aircylinder 103 cannot be actuated so that the case 13 on the conveyor belt75 awaits the return of the elevator platform 20 to its lowermostposition to indicate that the case 13 on the rollers 27 has been loadedand removed therefrom.

When the sensing finger 109 is moved inwardly by one of the cases 13 toclose the switch 108, the closing of the switch 108 also results in airbeing supplied to an air cylinder 110. The air cylinder 110 has a pistonrod 111 extending therefrom and attached to a clevis 112.

The clevis 112 is attach-ed to one end of a plow 113 by a pin 114 Theplow 1 13 is pivotally mounted by a pin 115 on support bracket 116.

When air is supplied to the air cylinder 110 by closing of the switch108, the piston rod 111 is retracted. This moves the plow 113 to theposition shown in FIGURE 3 wherein it causes the forward flap of thecase 13, which is held by the conveyor gate 96, to be moved to an openposition.

The plow 113 opens the rear flap of the case 13 as the case 13 advancesfrom the conveyor belt 75 to the rollers 27. When the sensing finger 109 returns to the position of FIGURE 3, the switch 108 is opened to causeair to be supplied to the air cylinder 110 to extend the piston rod 111whereby the plow 113 is moved toward the sensing finger 109.

The space between the conveyor belt 75 and the first of the rollers 27is bridged by a dead plate 117 (or a roller may be used if desired),which is attached by suitable means (not shown) to the shroud 90.However, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the dead plate 117 is disposedslightly beneath the tops of the belt 75 and the rollers 27.

It should be understood that the side flaps of each of the cases 13 areopened by suitable means (not shown) prior to the case 13 engaging theconveyor gate 96. One of the side flaps is maintained in an openposition by a plate 118 (see FIGURES 2 and 3) when the case 13 is on therollers 27 or the elevator platform 20. The other of the side flaps ofthe case 13 is held in an open position by a plate 1'19 when the case 13is on the rollers 27 or the elevator platform 20.

The plate 118 is attached to the elevator platform 20 by a pair ofupstanding lugs 120 and 121 (see FIGURE 5). A plate 122 is positioned ontop of the lugs 120 and 121 with the plate 118 spaced therefrom byspacers 123. The spacing relation of the plates .118 and 122 permitsside flaps on the cases 13 of various heights to be retained in an openposition.

The plate 119 is connected by two spaced threaded rods 124 to blocks 125(see FIGURES 1 and 4), which are slidable on rods 126 extending upwardlyfrom the lugs 55. Thus, the position of the plates 119 may be adjustedin a vertical direction in accordance with the height of the case 13.

A plurality of leveling pads 127 are employed to level the elevator 14and the conveyor belt 75 and the related structure. A guard :128, whichis attached to the side wall 24, is positioned over the continuous chain85, the chain sprockets 31, and other related structure to protect them.

Considering the operation of the present invention, the bracket 91 willbe positioned to fit the width of the cases 13, which are being loadedby the case packer 10. Likewise, the bracket 36 will be positioned inaccordance with the length of the cases 13.

With one of the cases 13 positioned on the rollers 27 against gate 40air is directed to air cushioning means 45 and the elevator platformstarts upwardly. At this time, the next case to be received by theelevator is in position at conveyor gate 96. Sensing arm 109 is swungback and the circuit, to be triggered by switch 63 when the elevatorplatform returns to its lowermost position, is readed to insure thatgate 96 moves out of the way just as soon as the elevator comes down.Until such time, conveyor gate 96 holds the case in its position ofreadiness. The first part of the upward movement of the elevator causesthe clamp bar 51 to move inwardly under the action of springs 5656against one side of the case insuring that its position is in alignmentwith the grid above it. If at any time during the upward movement of theplatform, the switch 68 closes as a result of a full complement ofbottles being in the grid, the tie-in between switch 63 and switch 68starts the timer 67. When timed out, the timer closes the circuit meansto insure that bottles are never dropped at a time when the elevator isstill rising. Rather relative adjustments are made in the timer 67 andthe valve in the air line 44 leading to the air cushioning means toinsure that the elevator is either at its uppermost position, ready toretract from that position, or actually retracting as the bottles strikethe bottom of the case. The last set of conditions is the preferred wayin which the machine is operated.

In some packer lines in small plants it is desirable to have the machineoperate slowly and in large plants, very rapidly. It is found that themachine of this invention is readily adaptable to either type operation.Time is saved by having an oncoming case move onto the elevator platformthe instant that it moves into its lowermost position and while thefilled preceding case is moving otf. Further time is saved by tying inswitch 63 to switch 68 and with the timer so that there is no lostmotion or waiting for the drop to occur. However, by providing theadjustable timer and having the same tie-in between the switch 68 andthe timer 67, slow operations are accommodated because at no time can abottle drop occur unless switch 68 is satisfied, being closed by a fullcomplement of bottles.

Thus, it may be seen that I have fulfilled the objectives of theinvention by providing a fully automatic, highly adaptable case elevatorthat is cushioned by air to reduce bottle damage to a minimum. Forpurposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of the inventionhas been shown and described according to the 'best presentunderstanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes andmodifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereofmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus for positioning a case to receive bottles from a casepacker or the like, said apparatus including a base, an elevatorplatform mounted above said base and movable relative thereto in avertical direction, air cushion means having one end connected to saidbase and the other end connected to said elevator platform, said basehaving means to support an empty case thereon, means to causepressurized air to be supplied to said air cushion means to move saidelevator platform upwardly after an empty case is positioned on saidsupport means, means permitting transfer of an empty case from saidsupport means to said elevator platform, means to lock an empty case inposition on said elevator platform, means to cause removal of saidpressurized air from said air cushion means when said elevator platformreaches its uppermost position whereby said elevator platform returns toits lowermost position, said last mentioned means simultaneouslyallowing release of bottles from said case packer to fall by gravityinto an empty case on said elevator platform, and means to release saidcase locking means before said elevator platform reaches its lowermostposition, said transfer permitting means allowing transfer of the loadedcase from said elevator platform to said support means.

2. An apparatus for positioning a case to receive bottles from a casepacker or the like, said apparatus including a base having a pluralityof rollers mounted thereon, means to continuously rotate said rollers inone direction, an elevator platform mounted above said base, air cushionmeans having one end connected to said base and the other end connectedto said elevator platform, means to direct an empty case onto saidrollers in a direction for advancement by said rollers, means to limitcase movement on said rollers in the advancing direction, means to causepressurized air to be supplied to said air cushion means to move saidelevator platform upwardly after said rollers have an empty casepositioned thereon, said elevator platform receiving an empty case fromsaid rollers, means to lock a case on said elevator platform, means tocause removal of pressurized air from said air cushion means when saidelevator platform reaches its uppermost position whereby said elevatorplatform returns to its lowermost position, said last mentioned meanssimultaneously allowing release of bottles from the case packer to anempty case on said elevator platform, means to release said case lockingmeans before said elevator platform reaches its lowermost position, saidrollers being disposed to receive the loaded case on said elevatorplatform, and means to move said case limiting means from its limitingposition before said rollers receive the loaded case from said elevatorplatform.

3. An apparatus for positioning a case to receive bottles from a casepacker or the like, said apparatus including a base having a pluralityof rollers mounted thereon, means to continuously rotate said rollers inone direction, an elevator platform mounted in spaced vertical relationto said base, air cushion means having one end connected to said baseand the other end connected to said elevator platform, means to directan empty case onto said rollers in a direction for advancement by saidrollers, means to limit case movement on said rollers in the advancingdirection, means to cause air to be supplied to said air cushion meansto move said elevator platform upwardly after said rollers have an emptycase positioned thereon, said elevator platform receiving an empty casefrom said rollers after upward movement of said elevator platformrelative to said rollers begins, means to cause removal of air from saidair cushion means when said elevator platform reaches its uppermostposition whereby said elevator platform returns to its lowermostposition, said last mentioned means simultaneously allowing release ofbottles from the case packer to an empty case on said elevator platform,said rollers being disposed to receive the loaded case on said elevatorplatform before said elevator platform reaches its lowermost position,and means to move said case limiting means from its limiting positionbefore said rollers receive the loaded case from said elevator platformduring its downward travel.

4. An apparatus for positioning a case to receive bottles from a casepacker or the like, said apparatus including a base having a pluralityof rollers mounted thereon, means to continuously rotate said rollers inone direction, an elevator platform mounted in spaced vertical relationto said base, air cushion means having one end connected to said baseand the other end connected to said elevator platform, means to directan empty case onto said rollers in a direction for advancement by saidrollers, means to limit case movement on said rollers in the advancingdirection, means to cause air to be supplied to said air cushlon meansto move said elevator platform upwardly after said rollers have an emptycase positioned thereon said elevator platform having a floor forreceiving an empty case from said rollers after upward movement of saidelevator platform relative to said rollers begins, the floor of saidelevator platform being disposed beneath said rollers in the lowermostposition of said elevator platform, said floor of said elevator platformbeing constructed to permit relative movement in a vertical direction ofsaid floor and said rollers, means to cause removal of air from said aircushion means when said elevator platform reaches its uppermost positionwhereby said elevator platform returns to its lowermost position, saidlast mentioned means allowing release of bottles from the case packer toan empty case on the floor of said elevator platform, said rollers beingdisposed to receive the loaded case on the floor of said elevatorplatform before said elevator platform reaches its lowermost position,and means to move said case limiting means from its limiting positionbefore said rollers receive the loaded case from said elevator platformduring its downward travel.

5. In case packing apparatus having a base, a grid mounted above saidbase through which bottles may be dropped, means for supplying bottlesto said grid, and a case supporting elevator mounted below said grid forvertical movement, the improvement comprising, resilient means definingan enclosed expansible chamber connected between said base and saidelevator, an air supply connected to said expansible chamber, and meansfor controlling the supply of air to said expansible chamber to raiseand lower said elevator in timed relation to the dropping of bottlesthrough said grid, said controlling means including means for exhaustingair from said expansible chamber at least as soon as the bottles strikethe case.

6. Case packing apparatus according to claim in which said resilientmeans defining said enclosed chamber is characterized by expanding to anextended position upon the application of air pressure to the inside ofsaid chamber and, as a result of the resiliency of said means definingsaid chamber, forcibly returning to a retracted position upon therelease of said air pressure from said chamber.

7. In a case packing apparatus having a base, a grid mounted above saidbase through which bottles may be dropped, means for supplying bottlesto said grid, and a case supporting elevator mounted below said grid forvertical movement, the improvement comprising expansible means to raiseand lower said elevator, said expansible means having walls defining anenclosed chamber connected between said base and said elevator, at leastpart of said walls being resilient and characterized by permitting saidchamber to expand upon the application of air pressure thereto andforcibly collapsing said chamber upon the release of air pressuretherefrom, an air supply connected to said chamber, and means forcontrolling the supply of air to said chamber, said controlling meansincluding means for exhausting air from said expansible chamber toretract said elevator at least as soon as the bottles strike the case.

8. In case packing apparatus having a base, a grid mounted above saidbase through which bottles may be dropped, means for supplying bottlesto said grid, and a case supporting elevator mounted below said grid forvertical movement, the improvement comprising means having a first,rigid end wall connected to said elevator and a second, rigid end wallconnected to said base, said means having other walls that define withsaid end walls an enclosed expansible and retractable chamber, at leasta part of said other walls being resilient, an air supply connected tosaid chamber, and means for controlling the supply of air to saidchamber, said controlling means including means for exhausting air fromsaid expansible chamber to retract said elevator at least as soon as thebottles strike the case.

9. Case packing apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said otherwalls are disposed symmetrically about a central axis.

10'. In a case packing apparatus having a base, a bottle grid mountedabove said base, means for supplying bottles to said grid, and anelevator mounted on said base for vertical movement, the improvementcomprising resilient walled means defining an expansible and retractiblechamber interposed between said base and said elevator, an supplyconnected to said chamber, and means for controlling the supply of airto said chamber to raise and lower said elevator, said controlling meansincluding means for exhausting air from said expansible chamber toretract said elevator at least as soon as the bottles strike the case.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 862,867 8/1907Eggleston 92-100 2,070,960 2/ 1935 Phillips 187-841 2,219,827 10/1940Kimball et a1 53-248 X 2,713,448 7/1955 Wimmer et a1. 53-247 2,727,66412/1955 Ardell 53-248 X 2,819,576 1/1958 Hendricks et a1 53-1662,890,553 6/1959 Day et al 53-247 3,044,762 7/ 1962 Stengelin 267-3,064,994 10/ 1962 Limmer. 3,218,055 11/1965 Nallinger 267-65 FRANK E.BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

P. H, POHL, R. J. ALVEY, Assistant Examiners.

10. IN A CASE PACKING APPARATUS HAVING A BASE, A BOTTLE GRID MOUNTEDABOVE SAID BASE, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING BOTTLES TO SAID GRID, AND ANELEVATOR MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT, THE IMPROVEMENTCOMPRISING RESILIENT WALLED MEANS DEFINING AN EXPANSIBLE AND RETRACTIBLECHAMBER INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID BASE AND SAID ELEVATOR, AN SUPPLYCONNECTED TO SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS FOR CONTROL-